Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis

The Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, commonly referred to simply as the Deputy Commissioner, is the second-in-command of London's Metropolitan Police Service. The rank is senior to Assistant Commissioner, but junior by one rank to Commissioner. The Deputy Commissioner's salary from 1 September 2010 is £214,722, making them the second highest paid British police officer. History In addition to the assistant commissioners, the position of Deputy Commissioner was legally established as a separate rank in 1931. However, the Assistant Commissioner "A" had acted as de facto deputy for some years and had been given the courtesy title of Deputy Commissioner since 1922. The Deputy Commissioner's Crown appointment continued to be Assistant Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis until at least the early 1970s. Sir Jim Starritt may have been the first officer to have been appointed Deputy Commissioner by the Crown. Insignia The badge of rank worn on the epaulettes by the Deputy Commissioner is unique in the British police service, this being a crown, above two small pips placed side by side, above crossed tipstaves in a wreath. This badge was introduced in 2001; before that the Deputy Commissioner wore the same rank badge as the assistant commissioners – a crown over crossed tipstaves in a wreath. Deputy Commissioners Those listed in bold type became Commissioner. Sir James Olive, 1922–1925 Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Royds, 1926–1931 The Hon. Sir Trevor Bigham, 1931–1935 Colonel The Hon. Sir Maurice Drummond, 1935–1946 Sir John Nott-Bower, 1946–1953 Sir Ronald Howe, 1953–1957 Joseph Simpson, 1957–1958 Sir Alexander Robertson, 1958–1961 Douglas Webb, 1961–1966 Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Ranulph Bacon, 1966 Sir John Waldron, 1966–1968 Robert Mark, 1968–1972 John Hill, 1972 Sir Jim Starritt, 1972–1975 Sir Colin Woods, 1975–1977 Patrick Kavanagh, 1977–1983 Albert Laugharne, 1983–1985 Peter Imbert, 1985–1987 Sir John Dellow, 1987–1991 Sir John Smith, 1991–1995 Sir Brian Hayes, 1995–1998 Sir John Stevens, 1998–2000 Sir Ian Blair, 2000–2005 Sir Paul Stephenson, 2005–2009 Tim Godwin, 2009–2011 Sir Craig Mackey, 2012–2018 Sir Stephen House, 2018–2022 (acting commissioner 20212022) Helen Ball, 2021–2022 (acting) Dame Lynne Owens, 2023–present (interim 2022–2023)